The SCAR Project

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The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion and beauty photographer David Jay. An acronym for Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality; The SCAR Project puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women. (A sample gallery can be viewed at: HYPERLINK "http://www.thescarproject.org/TheSCARProject20/" \t "_blank" http://www.thescarproject.org/TheSCARProject20/ )
Through their portraits, survivors challenge the traditional perceptions of this disease and create compelling visual images that express the raw truth of their experiences. The hope, fear, courage and vulnerability. Their visible scars are symbolic of their life changing journeys.
Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.
The SCAR Project subjects range from ages 18 to 35 and represent the often overlooked group of young women living with breast cancer. (Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40). They journey from across America and the world to be photographed for The SCAR Project. Nearly 60 so far. The youngest 18.
They are in different phases of treatment and reconstruction and are fighting unique emotional, physical and spiritual battles with their bodies, their surroundings and their inner selves. Some are mothers. Some are single women. Some are struggling students. Some are busy professionals. But they are all warriors, role models and survivors.
David Jay has been shooting fashion and beauty professionally for over 15 years. His images have appeared in a multitude of international magazines and advertising campaigns. Like so many others personally touched by the disease, Jay was inspired to act when a dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Like the subjects themselves, Jay’s stark, bold portraits challenge traditional perceptions of the disease and capture the raw beauty, strength and character of so many extraordinary young women. Each portrait represents a singular, stripped-down vision of the life-changing journey that unites them all.
Although Jay began shooting The SCAR Project primarily as an awareness raising campaign he was not prepared for something much more immediate . . . and beautiful: “For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride.”
The SCAR Project will culminate in an internationally traveling exhibition and book that capture the full scope of this compelling, inspiring survival story. David Jay will continue shooting SCAR Project subjects in his New York city studio and throughout the world as the The SCAR Project Continues.
As we move forward with the project and plan for the future, we are looking for corporate and community partners to help us expand the possibilities of the project and produce truly unique, inspiring events for the cause, for the cure and for the women. We hope you will play a role.
David Jay
HYPERLINK "http://www.davidjayphotography.com/" \t "_blank" www.davidjayphotography.com HYPERLINK "http://www.thescarproject.org/" \t "_blank" www.thescarproject.org
+1 646 763 2903